Wharenui and Whakapapa

Overview

This 80-minute lesson introduces Year 10 students to the significance of Māori carvings (whakairo) in the wharenui; connects students to the whakapapa of Onslow College through Te Āti Awa/Taranaki Whānui; explores the parts of a pōwhiri; and encourages personal connections to values (kōrero) and meaningful places.

The lesson supports self-directed learning via Google Classroom and Google Suite, ensuring all students, including those absent, can actively participate and stay up-to-date.

A new presentation titled 'Wharenui: Stories Within Our Walls' has been created to support this lesson. It includes 11 slides covering key concepts, cultural significance, structure, and stories related to Wharenui and Whakapapa, designed for Year 10 Te Reo Māori students for a 45-minute session.

Curriculum Links

Learning Area: Learning Languages (Te Reo Māori) Level: Level 5 (Year 10) Overall Aim:

Develop understanding and use of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori,
Show knowledge of Māori cultural concepts and practices including whakapapa, ngā toi (arts), and tikanga such as pōwhiri.

Key Competencies:

Thinking: Understanding whakapapa and cultural practices, analysing values
Relating to others: Respectful participation in cultural protocols such as pōwhiri
Using language, symbols, and texts: Interpreting whakairo and kōrero
Managing self: Engaging self-directed tasks through Google Suite
Participating and contributing: Sharing personal values and places that hold importance

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Describe what Māori carvings are, their purpose, and their importance in the wharenui.
Connect to the whakapapa of Onslow College through Te Āti Awa/Taranaki Whānui.
Identify and describe the main parts of a pōwhiri.
Identify a kōrero (story/value) that is important to them and explain why.
Identify a place that holds personal significance and share its importance.

Success Criteria

I can explain the purpose and significance of whakairo in the wharenui.
I can connect my learning to the whakapapa of Onslow College and Te Āti Awa.
I can name and describe the sequence of events in a pōwhiri.
I can share a kōrero or value that matters to me.
I can describe a place that is important to me and why it matters.

Lesson Plan Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Resources/Tools
10 min	Introduction and Karakia	Begin with a mihi whakatau/introduction. Briefly karakia and set expectations. Introduce objectives and learning pathway on Google Classroom.	Karakia script, projector/Google Meet
20 min	Whakairo Exploration: What and Why?	Students view photos/videos of wharenui carvings. Teacher explains their meaning, symbolism, and significance in Māori culture and the wharenui as the house of ancestors. Self-directed note-taking via Google Docs.	Images/videos of wharenui carvings (e.g., from Onslow College or similar), Google Docs
15 min	Whakapapa Connection to Onslow College	Presentation/reading on the connection of Onslow College to Te Āti Awa/Taranaki Whānui. Students explore their whakapapa connections if known or relate to community stories. Guided questions in Google Classroom encourage reflection and sharing.	Whakapapa summary document, Google Classroom discussion board
15 min	Parts of a Pōwhiri	Interactive activity: Students identify and describe key pōwhiri parts (e.g., karanga, whaikōrero, waiata, hongi). Use video clips or virtual tours of pōwhiri. Students work in pairs or small groups (physically or in breakout rooms) to sequence the parts, then share in Google Slides.	Pōwhiri video(s), Google Slides
10 min	Personal Connection: Kōrero or Value	Students write about a kōrero/whakataukī or value important to them, relating it to their identity and experiences. Scaffold with examples. Can be done as a Google Docs or Jamboard entry.	Examples of kōrero/whakataukī, Google Docs or Jamboard
10 min	Personal Place	Students identify a special place meaningful to them, drawing on local stories or their own experiences, and describe why. Share key responses in a Google Classroom Padlet or Discussion Thread.	Padlet/Google Classroom feature for sharing

Differentiation Strategies

For diverse learners:
Provide vocabulary lists with images and audio (dyslexia-friendly).
Use bilingual resources (te reo Māori and English) for explanations.
Offer sentence starters and writing frames to support written tasks.
Allow oral presentations or video responses for students with writing challenges.
Break tasks into small, clear steps.
For advanced learners:
Extension task: Research another iwi’s carvings or pōwhiri protocol and compare.
Encourage analysis of symbolic meaning in carvings, connecting to wider Māori worldview.
Create a personal whakairo/design representing their whakapapa or values.

Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Options

Use simple, clear fonts such as Arial or Comic Sans, 12-14 pt size.
Break information into bullet points and short paragraphs.
Include images alongside text to support comprehension.
Use high-contrast colours and ample spacing.
Provide audio options or read-aloud videos for key content.

Resources Needed

Projector or large screen for video and images
Internet access for Google Classroom and video content
Google Docs, Slides, Jamboard, Padlet or Google Classroom discussion boards set up before lesson
Images and videos of wharenui carvings and pōwhiri (consider local iwi or Onslow College resources)
Karakia and mihi whakatau script

Assessment and Reflection

Formative assessment through observation during activities and Google Classroom contributions.
Exit card: Each student shares one new fact about whakairo, one part of pōwhiri, or their personal kōrero or place.
Teacher provides personalised feedback via Google Classroom comments.

This lesson embodies principles from the New Zealand Curriculum: valuing of te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori, promoting cultural identity, and fostering inclusive, self-directed learning. It integrates key competencies and aligns with Level 5 Learning Languages achievement aims. The use of digital tools supports student agency and accessibility for those absent or needing flexible learning options.

If you require, I can also draft the Google Classroom setup or digital activity templates for immediate use!

Teaching Instructions